Such was her inclination for bodily penances. All who are truly serious about deepening their love and friendship with Jesus Christ will benefit from this monthly time of recollection and prayer. How often have you willingly surrendered to the Will of God as revealed to you in prayer? Gracious God, Thank you for the gift of today. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you May you be confident knowing you are a child of God. At the beginning of modern times the great heralds of contemporary spirituality-Ignatius of Loyola, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Francis de Sales-continued the strong tradition of asceticism. The Christian Life has two aspects, one ascetical, the other mystical. Pope Francis reminds us, The consecrated life will not flourish as a result of brilliant vocation programs, but because the young people we meet find us attractive, because they see us as men and women who are happy! If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. O God, I find myself at the beginning of another day. The religious spirit often gets suffocated under the weight of the baggage rendering fraternal life insipid and apostolate barren. May today there be peace within. The source of an authentic solidarity and of a true option for the poor springs from a heart that is poor and that follows the Poor Christ. They have elements of effort and method, deprivation and voluntary suffering. One day he came down to the plains and turned up at the catholic compound where he met the priest. 50 0 obj
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The demands of our mission, as well as the fact that the practice of poverty affects the deep-seated craving of our nature to possess things, make it indispensable for us to develop sufficient spiritual maturity to center our life in contemplating, loving and following the Poor Christ. We have the capacity to wonder, and to celebrate this great mystery of existence within such a magnificent Universe! In the meditations for this month's Recollection, we reflect on "Devotion to Our Lady" and "Revitalizing Society". ST. JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA Along our life we had become attached to different persons, things, position and power. Do I think about and pray for souls with whom I can share Christ's joy? The quality of our works and lives speak more powerfully than anything we can say. Sit in a comfortable, supported position. Or you may wish to choose a prayer word to softly draw yourself back again and again to being with God attentively such as "God. Gratitude did not make it into the list of four "cardinal virtues," but it is sometimes rightly recognized as a foundational virtue. %PDF-1.5
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The seeds of mortification and detachment from worldly vanities were sown in her tender heart when Brigida was only 4 years old. I could feel morning coming on as Yeshi slept deeply; still and warm between Joseph and me. But if we first experience the joy of being consoled by Him, of being loved by Him, then we can bring that joy to others.
Please help me to be ready for whatever it may be. ", The group may respond, "For this we are grateful." V. Examination of Conscience (5-10 minutes), VI. Attachments choke the heart and hinder its enjoyment of God, especially when God knocks with inspirations and the soul does not respond to His call.. There is a phenomenon of collector syndrome among some of us who tend to hoard all sorts of things, often unnecessaryfor our apostolate and personal life, and jam our rooms with these collections. XS-WX! Getting the same or similar materials again and again. Ascetical practices are methods and programmes designed to restrain the influence of sin and maximize union with God. A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to seriously go deeper into his or her relationship with God. Pray a slow, silent, attentive Our Father. Eventually it was noticed by the confessor and he withdrew the permission for such penances. The reformation or abolition of certain orders because of corruption only emphasizes the truth that monastic asceticism means an organized effort to attain perfection. As we release anxiety and fear, we come home to ourselves, to that place in our hearts where we know we have all we need in the present moment, that all is well and that life is good. We can never find genuine happiness except in a good conscience and a virtuous life. The questions below can help us consider in the presence of God how weve responded to His love in our acts and omissions. Asceticism and monasticism are almost synonymous terms as the origins of the ascetical life are the origins of monasticism. In later years she was afflicted with severe illness which she bore heroically and cheerfully for 24 years her ultimate act of asceticism. Imagine him with you or sit in the cave of your heart with him. Occasionally (at least once a year)celebrate a spring clean up toget rid of things you have not used in the year. He was, Forgiveness is at the heart of the Gospel, and it is a clear tenet of our faith. (St. Josemaria, quoted in the book "Antes, ms y mejor" by L. Linares, Rialp 2001). Can non-Catholic Christians and non-Christians belong to OpusDei. - Joe Wessling, To provide feedback, please email: jesuitresource@xavier.edu. Let us each in turn name something worthy of our gratitude, concluding with "and so let us say. biography P.110) Besides suffering every cross cheerfully, she was eager to practice very severe penances voluntarily. - Author Unknown. P.84). Do I ask our Lord for help to make my forgiveness more realy and sincere? Similarly, the apostolic effectiveness of consecrated life does not depend on the efficiency of its methods. Attachment causes unhappiness. May these words that he taught us become more than words. For further reading: The beatitudes(Mt.5:3-12),Flesh warring against the spirit(Rom.8:5-13),The old man versus new man(Eph.4:22-24),Demonic struggle(Eph.6:12), Asc.Dir.
In moments of challenge and decision Attune my heart to the whisperings of your Wisdom. Tell your phone you won't be answering calls for a while. She says, Poverty should be very dear to us. Jesuitresource.org is developed by The Center for Mission and Identity at Xavier University with support from the Conway Institute for Jesuit Education. (Blessed Brigida), Your heart must become a sea of love, your mind must become a. hb```"KV{ eahahl`:wIc-N''?q``h``` 1*::q9 - F~eX"8&? S#5 Relax anywhere you feel tense. Let our prayer this morning be one of gratitude. I move my hand, and wonderfully My hand becomes Christ, becomes all of Him (for God is indivisibly Whole, seamless in His Godhood). Then come follow me (Lk 18:22). Chinmoy). It is a necessity, the foundation of human life. Often we try to rearrange the world around us so as to keep the object of our attachments.
Although we spend time in prayer each day, recollection is a time to withdraw a couple of hours from the noise and cares of this earthly life in order to spend some quality time in conversation with God guided by meditation, spiritual reading, and an examination of conscience. But after a while you realize it's love; love worth fighting for. Would you like to tell him that you love him? Downers Grove, IL 60515
May the sacred web that unites us with each other, our God and all creation, ignite communities of light and hope throughout the Earth. Blessed M. Brigida our Foundress, being a mystic and prophet, it follows naturally that she was an ascetic too. A great way to spend some time being attentive to the Lord within is the Prayer of Recollection of St. Teresa of Avila, a prayer she said the Lord taught her. In other words, in order to follow Jesus we must detach ourselves from all worldly attachments (deny yourself); and detach ourselves from any fear over what it might cost to be a disciple (take up your cross). endstream
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Ask him for living water. Her greater concern was finding Gods will and seeking to serve God in even relatively unimportant matters. The rise of monasticism by the beginning of fourth century is attributed to the huge changes in the Church brought about by the Emperor Constantines Conversion. People want to see, that in everyday life we are joyful, compassionate, patient, kindand not jealous, angry or petty. May my living today reveal your Goodness. I want to say one word to you and this word is Joy. Seek God within you and listen to him. It looks as if an empty heart compensates with a room jammed with things. USA, Abandonment to the will of God is the secret of. Carmelite wisdom would say your prayer is even more meritorious before God when you had to fight for it but you did it anyway for love of your Lord. What inspiration do I draw from the ascetic life of our Foundress? The Christian Life has two aspects, one ascetical, the other mystical. Prayer of Recollection: Finding quiet time with God. everything and from herself. The founders of the the 20th century monasteries saw asceticism in terms of the daily spiritual discipline needed to fulfill the one thing necessary of seeking God in the midst of life. Do I try to be merciful in order to obtain God's mercy and that of others? Her biography and her writings give ample evidence to this fact. The practice of seeking seclusion from the world in order to better practice ascetic ideals was not unknown in the third century but it was not until the conversion of Constantine that it became general. (Blessed Brigida), Your heart must become a sea of love, your mind must become a Virtue of asceticism and detachment in the life of Blessed Brigida. Please free my thinking and feelings and the thinking and feelings of others, from all forms of self-will, self-centeredness, dishonesty, and deception. The word ascetical comes from the Greek, By the mid twentieth century, in deviation from the traditional orders, many different expressions of the monastic common life appeared. The word ascetical comes from the Greek askesis which means exercise, training, discipline. In this way, go over the words of the prayer silently, keeping your awareness with Jesus. Recollection is a time to look back and change our ways, I would like to see my daughters always filled with joy. Do I spend time remembering how the Lord has guided me over the course of my life? As the person gains inner freedom and spiritual and psychological maturity, the craving to collect usually diminishes. I pray just for today, for these twenty-four hours, for the ability to cooperate with others according to the way Jesus taught us to live. Like all other creatures, we carry with us Wisdom and Values, the dynamics of the Universe.
Pay attention to the words you are "saying," and to whom you are saying them, fixing your inner gaze on the Lord in whatever way works for you. Kahua asked for a job for six months and as the priest urgently needed someone, Kahua was given a job working closely with the priest. Hence from the depth her being she was able to surrender everything to God. Presence of lot of things in ones room or in custody (a personal mini general store). Am I holding any grudges? But the later conversions are even more important, and they are increasingly demanding. Even as a lay person she abhorred vanity and used to keep fast on many occasions. Pope Francis reminds us, The consecrated life will not flourish as a result of brilliant vocation programs, but because the young people we meet find us attractive, because they see us as men and women who are happy! Consciously choose to give up things to meet the need of others and experience the joy of giving. In their daily struggles, every man and woman tries to attain joy and abide in it with the totality of their being.
Both terms can describe the whole spiritual journey, but usually they are used in a restrictive sense. Just be quiet with God, staying present to him. Joy is not a useless ornament. He forgives everything!" She was very careful to instruct her sisters that they practice the virtue of detachment and grow in all other virtues.
The Holy Rosary is an ancient Christian prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, asking her to pray for all her children in our time of need. They watch us. Rationalization that these things will be of some use some day. 319. It's your intention, your will, to remain in his presence for this little bit of time, that matters.
You might pretend you are the Samaritan woman at the well and Jesus is thirsty. No, of course not. This great Liturgy finds expression at this moment in us, gathered here in a posture of prayerful openness, with listening hearts, loving spirits and a holy wonder.
Send your Spirit to inspire me in time of doubt and indecision so that, together, we can walk along your path. You can use the priests prayer to inspire your own. We know well that with Jesus life becomes richer and that with him it is easier to find joy and meaning in everything.
Mine? Calm the faculties. It is a good idea to make note of resolutions and ideas throughout the recollection, but the most important thing is to put yourself in front of our Lord, to look at Him and to let Him look at you. The primary reason for asceticism is the kingdom, the call to transcendence, the demands of the eschatological reality of the Gospel. During Holy Week I was on a special pilgrimage. Joy is the fruit of the gracious presence of God with us and within us. What place do I give to ascetical practices and other spiritual disciplines, to fulfill the. Today people listen to witnesses. Similarly, the apostolic effectiveness of consecrated life does not depend on the efficiency of its methods. Guide for Making a Day of Recollection (View/Download PDF). Attachments choke the heart and hinder its enjoyment of God, especially when God knocks with inspirations and the soul does not respond to His call., Mother Brigida followed and imitated Christ in his poverty, in keeping with the Gospel, as the best way of becoming conformed to His life and mission, We find our motive for professing lifelong evangelical poverty in Christ: in his person, in his conduct and in his teaching, The demands of our mission, as well as the fact that the practice of poverty affects the deep-seated craving of our nature to possess things, make it indispensable for us to develop sufficient spiritual maturity to center our life in contemplating, loving and following the Poor Christ, Our inner freedom is tragically compromised when we settle for little pleasures of possessing little things rather than embracing the true treasure of the human heart- God.
Please help me to be ready for whatever it may be. ", The group may respond, "For this we are grateful." V. Examination of Conscience (5-10 minutes), VI. Attachments choke the heart and hinder its enjoyment of God, especially when God knocks with inspirations and the soul does not respond to His call.. There is a phenomenon of collector syndrome among some of us who tend to hoard all sorts of things, often unnecessaryfor our apostolate and personal life, and jam our rooms with these collections. XS-WX! Getting the same or similar materials again and again. Ascetical practices are methods and programmes designed to restrain the influence of sin and maximize union with God. A monthly Day of Recollection is a time set aside specifically for a Christian to seriously go deeper into his or her relationship with God. Pray a slow, silent, attentive Our Father. Eventually it was noticed by the confessor and he withdrew the permission for such penances. The reformation or abolition of certain orders because of corruption only emphasizes the truth that monastic asceticism means an organized effort to attain perfection. As we release anxiety and fear, we come home to ourselves, to that place in our hearts where we know we have all we need in the present moment, that all is well and that life is good. We can never find genuine happiness except in a good conscience and a virtuous life. The questions below can help us consider in the presence of God how weve responded to His love in our acts and omissions. Asceticism and monasticism are almost synonymous terms as the origins of the ascetical life are the origins of monasticism. In later years she was afflicted with severe illness which she bore heroically and cheerfully for 24 years her ultimate act of asceticism. Imagine him with you or sit in the cave of your heart with him. Occasionally (at least once a year)celebrate a spring clean up toget rid of things you have not used in the year. He was, Forgiveness is at the heart of the Gospel, and it is a clear tenet of our faith. (St. Josemaria, quoted in the book "Antes, ms y mejor" by L. Linares, Rialp 2001). Can non-Catholic Christians and non-Christians belong to OpusDei. - Joe Wessling, To provide feedback, please email: jesuitresource@xavier.edu. Let us each in turn name something worthy of our gratitude, concluding with "and so let us say. biography P.110) Besides suffering every cross cheerfully, she was eager to practice very severe penances voluntarily. - Author Unknown. P.84). Do I ask our Lord for help to make my forgiveness more realy and sincere? Similarly, the apostolic effectiveness of consecrated life does not depend on the efficiency of its methods. Attachment causes unhappiness. May these words that he taught us become more than words. For further reading: The beatitudes(Mt.5:3-12),Flesh warring against the spirit(Rom.8:5-13),The old man versus new man(Eph.4:22-24),Demonic struggle(Eph.6:12), Asc.Dir.
In moments of challenge and decision Attune my heart to the whisperings of your Wisdom. Tell your phone you won't be answering calls for a while. She says, Poverty should be very dear to us. Jesuitresource.org is developed by The Center for Mission and Identity at Xavier University with support from the Conway Institute for Jesuit Education. (Blessed Brigida), Your heart must become a sea of love, your mind must become a. hb```"KV{ eahahl`:wIc-N''?q``h``` 1*::q9 - F~eX"8&? S#5 Relax anywhere you feel tense. Let our prayer this morning be one of gratitude. I move my hand, and wonderfully My hand becomes Christ, becomes all of Him (for God is indivisibly Whole, seamless in His Godhood). Then come follow me (Lk 18:22). Chinmoy). It is a necessity, the foundation of human life. Often we try to rearrange the world around us so as to keep the object of our attachments.
Although we spend time in prayer each day, recollection is a time to withdraw a couple of hours from the noise and cares of this earthly life in order to spend some quality time in conversation with God guided by meditation, spiritual reading, and an examination of conscience. But after a while you realize it's love; love worth fighting for. Would you like to tell him that you love him? Downers Grove, IL 60515
May the sacred web that unites us with each other, our God and all creation, ignite communities of light and hope throughout the Earth. Blessed M. Brigida our Foundress, being a mystic and prophet, it follows naturally that she was an ascetic too. A great way to spend some time being attentive to the Lord within is the Prayer of Recollection of St. Teresa of Avila, a prayer she said the Lord taught her. In other words, in order to follow Jesus we must detach ourselves from all worldly attachments (deny yourself); and detach ourselves from any fear over what it might cost to be a disciple (take up your cross). endstream
endobj
startxref
Ask him for living water. Her greater concern was finding Gods will and seeking to serve God in even relatively unimportant matters. The rise of monasticism by the beginning of fourth century is attributed to the huge changes in the Church brought about by the Emperor Constantines Conversion. People want to see, that in everyday life we are joyful, compassionate, patient, kindand not jealous, angry or petty. May my living today reveal your Goodness. I want to say one word to you and this word is Joy. Seek God within you and listen to him. It looks as if an empty heart compensates with a room jammed with things. USA, Abandonment to the will of God is the secret of. Carmelite wisdom would say your prayer is even more meritorious before God when you had to fight for it but you did it anyway for love of your Lord. What inspiration do I draw from the ascetic life of our Foundress? The Christian Life has two aspects, one ascetical, the other mystical. Prayer of Recollection: Finding quiet time with God. everything and from herself. The founders of the the 20th century monasteries saw asceticism in terms of the daily spiritual discipline needed to fulfill the one thing necessary of seeking God in the midst of life. Do I try to be merciful in order to obtain God's mercy and that of others? Her biography and her writings give ample evidence to this fact. The practice of seeking seclusion from the world in order to better practice ascetic ideals was not unknown in the third century but it was not until the conversion of Constantine that it became general. (Blessed Brigida), Your heart must become a sea of love, your mind must become a Virtue of asceticism and detachment in the life of Blessed Brigida. Please free my thinking and feelings and the thinking and feelings of others, from all forms of self-will, self-centeredness, dishonesty, and deception. The word ascetical comes from the Greek, By the mid twentieth century, in deviation from the traditional orders, many different expressions of the monastic common life appeared. The word ascetical comes from the Greek askesis which means exercise, training, discipline. In this way, go over the words of the prayer silently, keeping your awareness with Jesus. Recollection is a time to look back and change our ways, I would like to see my daughters always filled with joy. Do I spend time remembering how the Lord has guided me over the course of my life? As the person gains inner freedom and spiritual and psychological maturity, the craving to collect usually diminishes. I pray just for today, for these twenty-four hours, for the ability to cooperate with others according to the way Jesus taught us to live. Like all other creatures, we carry with us Wisdom and Values, the dynamics of the Universe. Pay attention to the words you are "saying," and to whom you are saying them, fixing your inner gaze on the Lord in whatever way works for you. Kahua asked for a job for six months and as the priest urgently needed someone, Kahua was given a job working closely with the priest. Hence from the depth her being she was able to surrender everything to God. Presence of lot of things in ones room or in custody (a personal mini general store). Am I holding any grudges? But the later conversions are even more important, and they are increasingly demanding. Even as a lay person she abhorred vanity and used to keep fast on many occasions. Pope Francis reminds us, The consecrated life will not flourish as a result of brilliant vocation programs, but because the young people we meet find us attractive, because they see us as men and women who are happy! Consciously choose to give up things to meet the need of others and experience the joy of giving. In their daily struggles, every man and woman tries to attain joy and abide in it with the totality of their being.
Both terms can describe the whole spiritual journey, but usually they are used in a restrictive sense. Just be quiet with God, staying present to him. Joy is not a useless ornament. He forgives everything!" She was very careful to instruct her sisters that they practice the virtue of detachment and grow in all other virtues.
The Holy Rosary is an ancient Christian prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, asking her to pray for all her children in our time of need. They watch us. Rationalization that these things will be of some use some day. 319. It's your intention, your will, to remain in his presence for this little bit of time, that matters.
You might pretend you are the Samaritan woman at the well and Jesus is thirsty. No, of course not. This great Liturgy finds expression at this moment in us, gathered here in a posture of prayerful openness, with listening hearts, loving spirits and a holy wonder.
Send your Spirit to inspire me in time of doubt and indecision so that, together, we can walk along your path. You can use the priests prayer to inspire your own. We know well that with Jesus life becomes richer and that with him it is easier to find joy and meaning in everything. Mine? Calm the faculties. It is a good idea to make note of resolutions and ideas throughout the recollection, but the most important thing is to put yourself in front of our Lord, to look at Him and to let Him look at you. The primary reason for asceticism is the kingdom, the call to transcendence, the demands of the eschatological reality of the Gospel. During Holy Week I was on a special pilgrimage. Joy is the fruit of the gracious presence of God with us and within us. What place do I give to ascetical practices and other spiritual disciplines, to fulfill the. Today people listen to witnesses. Similarly, the apostolic effectiveness of consecrated life does not depend on the efficiency of its methods. Guide for Making a Day of Recollection (View/Download PDF). Attachments choke the heart and hinder its enjoyment of God, especially when God knocks with inspirations and the soul does not respond to His call., Mother Brigida followed and imitated Christ in his poverty, in keeping with the Gospel, as the best way of becoming conformed to His life and mission, We find our motive for professing lifelong evangelical poverty in Christ: in his person, in his conduct and in his teaching, The demands of our mission, as well as the fact that the practice of poverty affects the deep-seated craving of our nature to possess things, make it indispensable for us to develop sufficient spiritual maturity to center our life in contemplating, loving and following the Poor Christ, Our inner freedom is tragically compromised when we settle for little pleasures of possessing little things rather than embracing the true treasure of the human heart- God.